In another development, Japan has declared national emergency due to COVID-19 and signed off the largest stimulus package ~$1 trillion as a per cent of GDP. This amount to 20 percent of the GDP overtaking the $2.2 trillion stimulus of US.
In major global news, Jack Dorsey, CEO of Twitter, committed a quarter of his wealth to fight COVID-19. Amounting to $1B, this is the most significant donation towards battling the pandemic. Gates Foundation continues its excellent work in fighting the pandemic. Bill Gates will simultaneously build seven factories to scale up vaccines for the novel virus. In his endeavor, Bill will lose billions of dollars, considering the development of drugs is highly dynamic. Most of the vaccines under trial might not make it to the final production lines. However, this is an inventive and futuristic step in helping vaccinations reach at the earliest date to civic societies. The Two Accelerators, backed by Gates Foundation, attracted more UK government donations, Madonna and Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.
“Trevor Mundel, President of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Global Health program, explained the strides made by the accelerators within a short time since its inception.
Two trials have started using chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, and a drug with a slightly different structure. This initiative is different from that of the World Solidarity Trial wherein the two drugs are are being studied to check if the drug shortens the duration of sickness for those affected by the virus. On the other hand, the Gates initiative investigates prophylaxis, i.e., to stop infected people with COVID-19 from developing the disease. The premise is based on the efficacy of the hydroxychloroquine in blocking the entry of virus in the cell. Global Polio Eradication Initiative will be refocusing its workforce, channels, and expertise to deal with the COVID-19 virus. Many organizations are now focusing their manufacturing and supply chains on producing PPE for health workers. GAP is one of the prominent names in the US manufacturing masks, among other accessories.